Bradley Stoke Voice - April 2024 - Issue 18

PATIENTS will be able to have scans and tests at a new Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) from this month.

North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) will be offering appointments at the new facility, by Asda at Cribbs Causeway, in mobile units until a permanent building is completed.

The CDC, part of the drive to cut waiting lists, will enable NBT to provide 45,000

diagnostic procedures every year, in partnership with independent healthcare provider InHealth. The diagnostics offered will include Endoscopy, Respiratory, Echo and Imaging (X-ray, MRI and CT scans).

The Government has agreed to invest £2.3billion in opening about 160 CDCs across the country by next year, providing nine million additional tests per year for patients in England.

World Thinking Day 2024 had a Ukraine theme for these Bradley Stoke Rainbow Guides. See Page 2

April 2024

Issue 18

EDITORIAL

Jane Williams

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Guides’ link to Ukraine

For those of you whose Brownie or Scout days are just a distant memory or those who weren’t lucky enough to join us for scraped knees and jamborees, 22 February was a special date for members of Guiding as it is our World Thinking Day, an annual event which is celebrated in 150 countries around the world by 8.8 million Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. On this day we celebrate Guiding and its impact on girls and young women. The date was chosen as it is the birthday of our founder, Lord Baden-Powell and wife Olave.

Our WAGGS (World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts) theme this year was ‘Our World, Our Thriving Future,’ which took us on a journey exploring crucial global issues through the lens of environmental sustainability, gender equality, peace and poverty. And our Bradley Stoke group organised a flexible online ‘Guide your way around the world’ event, but of course it wouldn’t be Guiding if they didn’t both come with a badge to be earned. In addition, we chose to host a Ukraine night as this coincided with the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion. We are fortunate to have welcomed to our unit the Ukrainian born Amira, who along with her Brownie sister Adelina and their mother Anna, took us on a journey through their home country.

Some things about Ukraine we learned: their flag depicts the sky above and the endless fields of wheat beneath it (Ukraine is the first country in Europe in terms of arable land area), Varenyky dumplings are easy to make and delicious, and in the Ukrainian countryside you can find beavers and moose.

Adelina read us her favourite short story, Amira wore her traditionally embroidered blouse and Anna shared ‘Patron’ chocolate bars with all the girls and a Christmas traditions chocolate gift. Each girl also received a Ukraine fundraiser badge and we made and raced paper swallows (this is what the Brownies are called in the Ukraine).

MP Jack Lopresti received a last-minute invitation but his office had to decline as he was actually in the Ukraine at the time but we have discussed the family visiting his office for a coffee and a chat.

Each Christmas, my units adopt an animal and last year 1st Pilning Rainbows supported IFAW who have helped to rescue and care for big cats who were trapped in war-torn Ukraine. Now, Alex the white tiger and leopards Brave and Kiara have safe homes.

I would also like to acknowledge the assistance given to us by WAGGS. We have all benefited from their support, receiving a grant and translated documents to help our Ukrainian girls and volunteers in the UK.

by Sara Messenger, Unit Lead, Bradley Stoke

A member of the

Concorde Book Awards return

THE magical story of a boy finding friendship in a ghost who helps provide the courage to escape from oppression has been voted the 2024 winner of South Gloucestershire’s literature prize for young people, the Concorde Book Award.

The author of Ghostcloud, Michael Mann, beat off competition from five other young people’s fiction titles to claim the coveted award.

This is the welcome return of the awards after they paused during the Covid pandemic. As before, the winner was chosen after a district-wide reading challenge in which young people from groups throughout South Gloucestershire read their way through a shortlist of titles.

Votes were cast on World Book Day (7 March) and the winner was announced at a

celebration event for the young people taking part at Bristol and Bath Science Park at Emersons Green on March 12.

Winning author Michael Mann attended the event with guest authors Jasbinder Bilan and Sophie Cleverly.

He said: “These awards

mean so much to us authors, it’s so important to know you’ve connected with young readers –that’s what it’s all about for me.”

The Concorde Book Award is run by South Gloucestershire schools and public libraries in which groups of young people read a shortlist of novels. They

are then encouraged to join a reading group, whether at school or in a local library, to read six books and talk about them with other group members, before voting on their favourite title.

The scheme, launched in 2007, aims to promote a love of reading among 11-14 year olds.

2024 winner Michael Mann with guest authors Jasbinder Bilan and Sophie Cleverley and South Gloucestershire school students at the Concorde Book Award ceremony

Prime Minister visits Rolls-Royce

PRIME Minister Rishi Sunak recently visited Rolls-Royce in Filton with Conservative Deputy Chairman Jack Lopresti, who is MP for Filton and Bradley Stoke.

Mr Sunak opened the Future Works initiative at RollsRoyce, an area of the facility which showcases the future of the aerospace sector. RollsRoyce also demonstrated some exciting, world-leading technologies that they are working on.

Jack Lopresti MP said: “I am very proud to represent an area in a region which is the largest defence and aerospace cluster in Europe. I’m also proud we have the Ministry of Defence’s Defence, Equipment and Support at Abbey Wood, which not only procures and acquires kit and equipment for our armed forces but is also doing a huge amount of heavy lifting

which is ensuring that our Ukrainian allies are also getting the vital kit and equipment they need to their front line.

“I was delighted to be able to welcome the Prime Minister

who was incredibly impressed with what was happening in the Rolls-Royce plant, and he really enjoyed meeting the young apprentices who are inspirational.”

Following the visit, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “It was brilliant to visit Roll-Royce in Filton with Jack Lopresti MP who has been a tireless champion of the defence and aerospace manufacturing sector both locally and in Westminster. It was great to meet with so many at the facility who have worked so hard to bring new technologies like the new Tempest fighter jet to market, and it was particularly great to see so many young, first class apprentices who are at the beginning of their exciting careers in this innovative sector.

“I know that Jack has been a strong advocate for apprenticeships throughout the defence and aerospace industry and throughout the rest of our economy and will continue to campaign hard for more investment in the wider Filton and Bradley Stoke area.”

Jack Lopresti MP (right) with PM Rishi Sunak at Rolls-Royce in Filton

Council leader defends plan for thousands of homes on fields

THE leader of South Gloucestershire Council has defended a plan to build thousands of new homes on green fields. The district has a dire shortage of housing and the new Local Plan sets out where over 20,000 new homes should be built, including more than 7,000 on undeveloped land.

South Gloucestershire needs 20,490 new homes to be built by 2040 to meet its growing housing demand, according to the council’s draft new Local Plan. But some locals are unhappy about the proposed decision to build more than a third on what’s called ‘greenfield land’.

Councillor Claire Young, the Liberal Democrat leader of South Gloucestershire Council, said there isn’t enough brownfield land (space that’s already been built on) in the district. Building some new homes on the green belt (protected countryside near existing towns) also means fewer people having to rely on cars.

Speaking to John Darvall on BBC Radio Bristol, she also promised that a huge chunk of these new homes will be affordable, and council bosses will try to avoid past problems with a lack of public services in new housing estates, such as schools and shops.

Cllr Young said: “In our recent Local Plan consultation we looked at a number of different options, and one of those was no green belt release. That pushes all of the development in South Gloucestershire to the outer fringes. There are a number of problems with that.

“Firstly, it builds in commuting, and we know a lot of that will be by car if you’re coming from the villages and the outer areas of South Gloucestershire. We’re trying to put things in a sustainable place. And also, it would be dependent on National Highways making major upgrades to Junction 14 of the M5, which we know isn’t in their plans.

“Then people say why don’t you build on brownfield land. Well because there simply isn’t enough of it to build the number of houses we need. We’ve looked

at that and we’ve maximised that, and we’ve found more brownfield sites than have previously been identified. If people have other brownfield sites they haven’t brought forward yet, we would be delighted to hear about them. But that still leaves us with 7,000 to 8,000 homes that need to go elsewhere.”

Elsewhere in South Glos, when giant housing developments have been built, the first residents have sometimes found themselves with few or no shops, schools or GP surgeries nearby. This includes places like Bradley Stoke, Lyde Green or north Yate. The council leader was asked how new public services can be delivered alongside new homes.

“We’re trying to avoid relying on big-ticket infrastructure,” Cllr Young said. “We will put policies in place to require developers to contribute to infrastructure improvements, and we’re trying to do our best to bring forward infrastructure in a timely way. We’re making it clear to developers what infrastructure they’ll need to provide.

“We’re increasingly looking at ways to make that not cardependent and we’re looking to cluster our homes close to existing services so they can be accessed by cycling and walking routes, and promoting better bus services — rather than putting them, as the ‘no green belt’ option would have had us doing, along way from services.”

Only 5,000 of the new homes will be classed as affordable, according to the Local Plan, and there are doubts the council can even persuade developers to build that many. Across the country developers often tell councils they can’t build housing with the level of affordable housing asked for, because it

wouldn’t be commercially viable. This then creates a dilemma for the local council: deciding whether it’s best to press ahead with any housing rather than none, or hold out for more new homes and hope enough of them will be affordable. And in South Glos, the draft new Local Plan increases the affordable housing requirement on developers from 35 per cent of new homes up to 40 per cent.

“We’re pushing developers to

provide a greater proportion of affordable homes,” Cllr Young said. “I appreciate we’ve had situations in South Gloucestershire where people have seen developers negotiate that down. But we’re putting in our plan that we want developers to provide 40 per cent affordable housing, and we’ll hold them to that.

“Actually we’ve already got a good track record of delivering affordable homes, we’re one of the best in the country. We’ve actually got a very high proportion of the affordable homes that are being delivered nationally. In 2022–23 there were 714 affordable homes delivered, of which 529 were for social rent and 184 for shared ownership. We’re trying to push that further.”

By Alex Seabrook, Local Democracy Reporter

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£15m skills funding boost coming to South Glos

THOUSANDS more people across South Gloucestershire will be supported every year to get new skills and progress in work thanks to a package of more than £15 million to skillup the region voted through by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority.

This is the Mayoral Combined Authority’s largest-ever investment in skills training and is all part of Metro Mayor Dan Norris’s ambitious plans to help ensure his West of England region has one of the most highly skilled and well-trained workforces in the country.

More than £5 million of the funding will go towards training more than 6,000 locals to plug skills gaps in the regionincluding courses to train up an army of retrofitters, electric car mechanics and other workers needed as the region transitions to a net-zero future.

Meanwhile, 200,000 of the region’s talented young people will get the support they need to plan their routes into the jobs they want later on through a £1.5 million investment to support all 97 of the region’s secondary schools to improve the quality of their careers education.

Plus, measures to get 10,000 long-term sick and unemployed locals to start, stay and

succeed in work are on the way thanks to a £1.7 million investment, a major move to tackle the major long-term sickness challenge facing the West, and the country.

Metro Mayor Dan Norris who heads up the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, which is the regional body responsible for skills in the region, said: “Skills and training are a really important part of my role as Metro Mayor, and ensuring as many people in our West of England region have the training they need and deserve to access good-quality, well-paid secure jobs matters greatly to me.

“Because I know the incredible impact good jobs and skills training can have on a person’s life. It helped take me on an incredible journey when it came to my own career - from a child protection officer, to Parliament and now Metro Mayor of the best region in the whole country.

“Since I was elected three years ago, my West of England Mayoral Combined Authority has tripled the value of our jobs and training services for locals from £20m to £60m. We’re already helping over 35,000 residents in our region every single year through our brilliant range of programmes for locals - from youngsters in school, to people out of work looking to get back into the workplace.

“This latest funding boost for South Gloucestershire and other locals is our biggest investment yet and will help to give tens of thousands more locals access to the support and training they need to develop new skills and develop their careers in the West of England.”

The investment will provide 50,000 people with high quality careers advice and support, and help over 35,000 people access new training, according to the regional Mayor.

Metro Mayor welcomes apprenticeship reforms

SEVERAL apprenticeship reforms are coming that are awt to benefit residents and firms.

As part of the changes, the amount of unspent apprenticeship levy funds big firms can transfer to another company will increase from 25% to up to half - a boon for the West of England Share to Support scheme, which sees apprentice-levy paying

employers passing on their unused levy funds so that more apprenticeships can be created by small employers.

£4m has been pledged by firms ranging from Aviva to homeware giant B&Q to Share to Support. The scheme =has already funded more than 300 apprenticeships – but Metro Mayor Dan Norris says more could be on the way thanks to

these changes.

He is urging more firms to sign up to Share to Support, saying: “I am hugely proud of my West of England Share to Support scheme which has raised millions - all being put to excellent use locally to equip residents right across our region with the skills they need to succeed.

“The changes announced are

very positive and can help us go further. Increasing the levy transfer amount to 50 per cent will free up more funds to be used for training locally.

“That’s why I am urging more West of England firms to sign up. Let’s work together to train up even more locals and share opportunities for all.”

The changes will come into effect from 6 April.

Dan Norris tries his hand at welding

Connor’s life transformed with three-wheeled chair

VOLUNTEERS and supporters of a community charity cafe have transformed another life.

The Barton Hill RFC Charity Cafe in Duncombe Lane raised more than £6,300 to pay for a three-wheeled electric wheelchair for Patchway-based teenager Connor Head.

Connor, 18, has congenital myotonia, a rare muscle condition which severely impairs movement and affects about one in every 100,000 people worldwide. To help him get around, the cafe funded a threewheeled chair with handlebars and controls.

Connor and his family met with charity cafe volunteers and supporters and Taylor Made Wheelchairs, the company which made the chair to order, in February.

Afterwards Connor’s mum Natalie Lupton described the effect it had had on his life.

She said: “Connor has only had his new chair for a couple of weeks. He has gone out so many

times already, it has enabled him to meet up with his friends and be independent, without the pain and fatigue which comes with his condition.”

Cafe volunteer Mandy Bryant said: “Connor was only too happy to do a demonstration of his new wheels in the car park, for all the cafe friends to enjoy.

“It is fantastic to see the happiness and difference our

cafe makes to someone. It is amazing that we can give Connor so much independence and freedom. Taylor Made is a family business and ensures every aspect of their wheelchairs are tailored to users’ specific needs. They are based in the West Midlands, but Chris and Emma came down to visit our cafe and personally deliver the new chair.”

The cafe is open every

Monday and Wednesday, from noon until 3pm, and was founded as a friendly, welcoming place for people to meet.

It is staffed and managed entirely by unpaid volunteers, providing cheap food and drink and an atmosphere to encourage good company and conversation.

Since the cafe first opened in 2020 it has helped 19 individual children with disabilities and their families enjoy more freedom by buying specialist mobility equipment, and is currently looking to help three more.

Volunteers have also bought a chair for use at Bristol Children’s Hospital and raised thousands for mental health charity Mind, as well as funding defibrillators and bleed kits.

Last year the cafe volunteers won the community group category at the BBC Radio Bristol Make a Difference Awards, which highlight people who go the extra mile to help others.

Patchway teenager Connor Head collected his new electric wheelchair from volunteers at the Barton Hill RFC Charity Cafe

Bee Bold ‘24

THE West of England Bee

Bold awards are back with a buzz and they’re bigger and better than ever.

From schools to museums, factories to shops, pollinatorloving organisations across South Gloucestershire are being encouraged to take part in the regional Bee Bold Awards 2024.

Whether it’s creating a blossoming green patch in your business’s premises or helping build some naturefriendly allotments in your local patch, the Mayor’s Bee Bold Awards recognise all ‘pollinator pal’ organisations doing their bit to back the region’s vital bee buddies.

Once again organisations can apply to be ‘Space for Nature’ and ‘People for Nature’ champions by visiting westofengland-ca. gov.uk/bee-bold

Bee Bold winners, chosen by an expert panel, will be announced in June. They will receive awards and prizes.

Five headline in Almondsbury

THE boyband Five, now a three-piece but keeping the same name, will headline a three-day festival at a community pub in Almondsbury later this summer.

In the late 1990s, Five had a string of chart hits including Everybody Get Up and Keep On Moving before splitting in 2001. At their height, the band sold 3.4 million singles and 1.6 million albums in the UK. They reformed a few times after this and are now back together again and on their way to South Gloucestershire to join this new festival. The current line-up features original members Scott Robinson, Ritchie Neville and Sean Conlon.

The Small Town, Big Music Festival will be held at Almondsbury Creative from 6-8 September and sees a plethora of bands and performers take to the two stages at the event across the three days. Organisers say: “We’ve got a huge range of brilliant acts already lined

up, alongside food trucks, bars, stalls, walkabout entertainers, funfair, children’s zone and much much more.”

On the Friday, the main stage will host Doreen and Doreen and Showhawk Duo, while on

the Saturday they switch things up with a country music lineup, including Tenille Arts and Kezia Gill. And on Sunday, Five will perform as will one or two other artists who are yet to be announced.

Boyband Five have reformed and are coming to Almondsbury

n NEWS FROM THE MAYOR’S OFFICE

WE hope you all had a good Easter. We always love to hear from people living in our town and welcome you if you would like to get involved.

Annual Town Meeting

All town councils throughout England are required, by law, to hold an Annual Parish Meeting. Ours will be on Wednesday 1 May at 7pm at the Jubilee Centre, Savages Wood Road.

Anyone may attend but only registered electors of Bradley Stoke may speak and vote during the meeting. The purpose of the meeting is so that the town council can explain what it has been doing over the last year. It also enables the electors to have their say on anything they consider is important to the people of the town. Other local organisations, such as the police, can also be invited to speak about the work.

Agendas and supporting paperwork will be found on the Meeting Minutes & Agendas page of the Bradley Stoke Town Council website.

Bradley Stoke Town Council Annual Report

The 2023/24 BSTC Annual Report has now been issued and distributed to every household in Bradley Stoke. It is also available on the Town Council website: bradleystoke.gov.uk

Bradley Stoke Festival

Plans are shaping up well for the Bradley Stoke Town Council full summer festival at the Jubilee

Centre on 8 and 9 June. Deputy Mayor Natalie Field has been the constant elected member and continues providing input and leadership to the Community Festival Planning meetings throughout 2023 and so far in 2024.

If you would like more information on the events over the weekend, please visit the Town Council website bradleystoke.gov.uk or call 01454 205020

International Women’s Day

To celebrate International Women’s Day, we have developed, together with Southern Brooks, an innovative textile project (working with local schools and community groups across the area) where pieces of embroidery have been sown onto a red dress that is being displayed around Bradley Stoke throughout the year.

The event on 8 March marked the launch and celebration of our local Red Dress project in the area with further work being carried out on the dress throughout 2024.

Natalie Field said: “I am grateful to all the volunteers, community groups, staff and speakers who made the event a success. My thanks especially to the Sew & Sews who made the dress and who have taken a lead in sewing on all the contributions from individuals and different groups onto the dress.”

Mayor Dayley Lawrence added: “It was a pleasure to attend the International Women’s

Dayley and Natalie with The Red Dress

Day event and for the Town Council to work with Southern Brooks on the project to empower women.”

The Red Dress project is based on the model used for the worldwide community development approach to produce ‘The Red Dress’. The creator of the award-winning project, Kirstie McCloud, was one of the key speakers. Councillor Jenny James spoke about women’s heritage and of the history of the Women’s Rights Movement locally. Fleur Conley, specialist paramedic from Great Western Air Ambulance charity, spoke of her experience working as one of the women in critical care.

If you would like to be involved with the Red Dress Project, such as doing a piece of embroidery or beadwork, more information is available on the Bradley Stoke Town Council website. We would love to hear from you.

Restoration work under way to create a new community hub

YTL Developments has started work on Hangar 16U, a new hub for the community housed in an historic listed aircraft hangar.

The developers say that construction work on Hangar 16U at Brabazon – the new neighbourhood being built on the former Filton Airfield – is the latest evidence of the ambition to put people and communities at the heart of the new district.

Hangar 16U was once a hive of activity, assembling and maintaining aircraft in the airfield’s aviation heyday. A community of engineers and designers were driven by a common purpose, creating new technologies that shaped the future of flight. Now this brickbuilt structure will have new life as a local, sociable community

hub at Brabazon that will serve residents.

Designed by Bristol-based architects Ferguson Mann, the

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Are you skilled at building relationships? Do you thrive in an environment where your hard work genuinely makes a di erence? Do enjoy working in a friendly and supportive team? If the answer is yes then we need you! We’re searching for a dynamic Events, Corporate, and Partnerships O cer to join the fundraising team at The Brightwell. This role is all about bringing our events to life, nurturing relationships with businesses, and crafting partnerships that raise awareness of our amazing charity. By raising funds you will be enabling us to provide therapy and services for those a ected by neurological conditions in the South West.

Position Summary: You will be working with the team to deliver exciting, professional, mass participation and smaller charity events in the local community. You will also be looking after existing supporters as well as seeking new partnership opportunities with community organisations, corporates and individuals. Working to agreed targets with the team you will be a key part in raising funds to help local people.

Bene ts: A competitive salary, Friendly working environment, Pension and life insurance, Flexible and hybrid working opportunities, On site café, Career Progression

For a detailed job spec, person speci cation and application please go to our website: www.thebrightwell.org.uk/work-for-the-brightwell or Call Victoria on 01454 201686 for an informal chat.

restoration plans ensure the preservation of the hangar’s unique features, including its iconic Belfast trusses and intricate red brickwork.

Construction work is well under way, with the hangar’s original doors having been removed ready to be restored and rehung. The work is expected to last approximately 18 months, meaning Hangar 16U should open in summer / autumn 2025.

Sebastian Loyn, planning and development director at YTL Developments, said: “Hangar 16U’s restoration embodies the vision for Brabazon. As the

birthplace of Concorde, this former airfield was the centre of a community that changed the world. Our aim is to live up to that legacy by reimagining this historic hangar as a vibrant social hub, returning it to the heart of the community again.

“The restoration of Hangar 16U is another sign of our commitment to the community and to creating a truly sustainable neighbourhood at Brabazon.

“Our vision is to create the space, connectivity and opportunities that will drive local prosperity for the next 100 years.”

Hangar 16U is undergoing a dramatic transformation to becoming a new hub for the community

The hangar will be transformed with a design by local architects

Homes for refugees

FORTY THREE homes are being provided in South Gloucestershire for refugees from Ukraine or Afghanistan.

The council is working with housing association Bromford to create the extra homes, which have been funded by £6.8 million allocated from the Government’s new Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF).

The council says the homes are in addition to the new affordable homes it already provides every year in the area.

A celebration was held in February to celebrate the completion of the first of the additional homes.

Council leader Claire Young, said: “I’m pleased this funding has not only provided housing for the immediate need but will also help reduce pressure on our local services, benefiting people across South Gloucestershire.

This is a significant amount of money invested in the area, which will provide a great boost to the local economy.”

Volodymyr and Oleksandra, who have already been rehomed here, said: “Our Ukrainian family wants to express our sincere gratitude for caring for us and other Ukrainian families.

“We really appreciate what you do for us. We were forced to leave our homes, and you gave us shelter. We feel at home in this new apartment. Even the sun shines in a new way now. I want to live and dream again. We thank you. And we wish you success.”

Tatiana, Serhiy, Vladislav and Darina, who have also been rehoused locally, said: “We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the team for providing us with a new social house, which we received in December.”

Bradley Stoke Library

Meet the candidates for police and crime commissioner

VOTERS are being asked to decide who should be in overall charge of Avon & Somerset police for the next four years.

In just over a month’s time elections will be held across the region to vote for the next Avon & Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner, or PCC.

Coming with a salary of £88,600, the PCC’s role is to oversee the force, ensuring it is “efficient and effective”.

The PCC’s powers include:

• Hiring and firing the chief constable, and holding them to account for running the force

Setting objectives for the area through a police and crime plan

• Setting the budget and determining the precept charge paid by council tax payers

• Contributing to national and international policing capabilities

• Bringing together community safety and criminal justice partners, to ‘join up’ local priorities.

• Funding crime prevention services

The current PCC is Conservative Mark Sheldon, who was elected to the role in 2021, in an election postponed from 2020 because of the pandemic.

He took over from independent Sue

Mountstevens, who stepped down having been in the post since it was created in 2012.

Nominations for the PCC opened on March 19 and will close at 4pm on April 5.

The election will take place on Thursday, May 2. Polling stations will open at 7am and close at 10pm.

There are no other scheduled elections on that day in South Gloucestershire, with council elections having happened last year and the Metro Mayor election not due until May of next year.

Anyone voting in person will need to bring photo ID, such as a passport or driving licence, to the polling station. People without appropriate ID can apply to South Gloucestershire Council for a Voter Authority Certificate, by April 24.

People can also apply for a postal vote via the council’s website, by April 17.

For more information on the election, visit the website www.aspccelections.co.uk.

As the Voice went to press, four political parties had already announced candidates.

The Voice has asked them to send a short biography and manifesto to outline their priorities.

They appear in the order they will be on the ballot paper:

Benet Allen (Liberal Democrats)

Predict and provide policing to help tackle rural crime as well as urban crime

Help make sure offenders don’t do it again – most want to ‘go straight’

Katy Grant (Green)

I am a councillor in Bristol, and an Avon and Somerset Magistrate.

Before that, I worked for twenty years overseas with the UN on child protection and violence against women.

AS ASPCC, I will prioritise preventing crime, working with community to support youth services and tackle the social causes of crime. Knife crime in cities will be a focus, with more visible neighbourhood policing

and greater services to victims and families. To address poor performance and prejudice within the force, I will enhance the independence of misconduct panels, while recognising of the integrity of the vast majority of officers. Above all, we will police by consent; and I will work tirelessly with the Avon and Somerset Police to get closer to and re-gain the trust of the communities we serve.

Clare Moody (Labour)

Clare brings rich experience, from her current role as CEO of a charity to her time spent working in No 10. She previously represented our region as an MEP.

INVESTING in neighbourhood

policing – to build safer communities and help prevent and solve crime.

Supporting victims of crime – making sure victims are properly listened to, and get the help they need when they need it.

Prioritising reducing violent crime – The scale of violent crime, including knife crime and violence against women and girls, isn’t inevitable but it needs focus and commitment to fix it.

Preventing crime – work with agencies across the public sector and civil society to prevent crime and build safer communities.

Restoring trust and confidence in the police –enabling the police to take pride in high standards.

Mark Sheldon (Conservative)

Mark has over 35 years of experience of serving our country in the military

and local government and has been your PCC since 2021. Resides in Bath with his family.

WHEN elected, Mark pledged more police, a focus on tackling serious crime and to represent every community when holding the police to account. He has delivered. The constabulary has trained over 1,500 new officers, is the best force for illegal drug disruptions and has seen a 300% increase in rape cases reaching court by designing a nationally acclaimed investigation model. He appointed a courageous Chief Constable determined to restore trust in policing.

Mark will prioritise crime prevention, tackling anti-social behaviour and violence against women. He remains committed to reducing re-offending, supporting skills programmes for prisoners and ensuring victims receive support.

Three-week black bin collections are on the cards

SOUTH Gloucestershire Council has revealed a raft of changes that will be brought in to recycling and bin collections in coming years.

The council wants to eventually make black bin collections every three weeks instead of every fortnight.

Before this happens it wants to cut further the amount of recyclable materials and food

waste going in to black bins –which it says make up almost two thirds of their contents.

To start off, the council is extending a trial scheme for kerbside collections of ‘flexible’ plastics like bags and packaging, which currently account for 27.7% of the space taken up in the average black bin.

During May the service will expand to include one in every

five homes in the district, with a view to rolling it out everywhere by the end of next year. People in the new collection areas will be given more details over the coming weeks.

The council is in negotiations over a new waste and recycling contract, which will see the running of Sort It centres brought in-house and a new firm appointed to replace Suez.

A cabinet meeting in March heard bids would be submitted over the summer, before a decision is made in October on a new contractor to take over from August next year.

As well as soft plastics recycling, the new contractor will also be expected to collect food waste from flats.

The council says black bin collections would initially stay fortnightly, but contract bidders are being asked to also submit costs three-weekly collections.

A spokesperson said:

“Changes to the frequency of collections for black bins will only be made after steps have been taken to recycle more materials from the kerbside, such as flexible plastics, which will have reduced the amount of waste being placed in people’s black bins.”

Council cabinet member with responsibility for waste and recycling, Leigh Ingham, said: “Our aim is to make recycling easier for everyone and by doing that, there will be less rubbish needing to go in black bins.

“We will continue to talk and listen to residents about changes, and support is always available for those who need it, whether by collecting nappies or medical waste for a period, or through assisted collections for people with mobility issues.”

The council says moving to three-weekly black bin collections would save at least £1 million per year, but it still needs to find more ways to balance its waste budget, even after increasing green bin subscriptions from £30 to £60 per year.

It says the cost had been “artificially held back” and the new subscription level would help the service to pay for itself.

A council spokesperson said the blanket expansion of flexible plastic recycling is “dependent on wider, national infrastructure and development of end markets for the material”.

Residents whose homes join the soft plastic recycling trial will be given a pack of plastic bags to put them in, which then need to be tied up and put in green recycling boxes.

People can order new bags online, by phone or at One Stop Shops – there is no charge for them or any other replacement bins or containers.

n NEWS FROM THE BRIGHTWELL

Feel good through doing good!

REGULAR readers will already know that our incredible volunteers are the lifeblood of our success here at The Brightwell. We thank each and every one and absolutely could not do without them.

But did you know about the incredible benefits of volunteering on your health?

A recent study by the National Council of Volunteer Organisations found that volunteers reported a noticeable uplift in their health and wellbeing due to giving their time in this way.

Some 93% found enjoyment in volunteering, with 90% feeling proud and accomplished through giving back. Nine out of ten report that they have met new people and 77% say that their mental health improved while 55% say that they had physical health benefits too. There are even cases of people finding love through a shared commitment to community. All that while having fun.

If statistics and love stories are not

enough to make you take the plunge into volunteering, maybe joining Royalty will. The Countess of Wessex, Princess Anne, The Prince and Princess of Wales, the Sussexes and our own King and Queen have dedicated their lives to appreciating and celebrating volunteers and have not been afraid to get stuck in themselves.

Princess Catherine states that her commitment to making a positive impact through volunteering reflects the power of small actions. Whether it’s lending a hand, offering support, or spreading kindness, every effort counts. We could not agree more, Your Majesty!

If you would like to experience that brilliant ‘giving back feeling’, we are looking for friendly café volunteers, Trustees especially those with a health and safety background, Marshalls for running events, Bucket and Supermarket Collectors and many more!

Why not pop in and sample some of the tasty treats in our newly opened café and

experience the comfy setting and welcoming atmosphere for yourself.

To find out more, please visit thebrightwell. org.uk/volunteer or call 01454 201686.

NEWS FROM YOUR LOCAL MP JACK LOPRESTI

Our great aerospace history

Parkway plans put station at heart of community

THIS month I have been very busy in our area focusing on transport, law and order and our area’s heritage and role in the aerospace industry.

I had a very interesting meeting with representatives from Great Western Rail, South Gloucestershire Council and Network Rail to discuss the exciting Bristol Parkway Redevelopment Masterplan.

THIS month, I have been delighted to meet so many people in our local area who are doing fantastic work in their communities. I had the pleasure of visiting Snack Attacks at the Park in Norman Scott Park run by Patchway Town Councillor Denise Lansdown and her family. Cllr. Lansdown is doing an excellent job in shaking up Patchway Town Council.

as a business park and new green spaces, which will see Parkway become much more integrated into the local community.

This will have the result of Parkway not only being a transport hub, but also a centre for the wider community and an even more important asset to the area.

Given the importance of Parkway, I believed it was necessary to get more information about this future infrastructure investment in our area.

It was great to see the public engagement that had been conducted and the great response received from consultation, showing a high level of local support for the project, especially with the masterplan looking to put the community at the centre of the development.

I am so pleased to see that the Brightwell Centre in Bradley Stoke is going from strength to strength. I recently met with Doro Pasantes, CEO and Geoff Marshall, Chairman of the Trustees. A few weeks later, I met with Richard and Lucy from Inclusive Change, and I held one of my regular surgeries at the centre. From sustainability to the excellent work to help those with neurological diseases access services and get into work, I am very proud of the work done.

The Aerospace Bristol Museum is a marvellous institution which showcases the past and our area’s aerospace heritage and

This will see more investment and jobs come to the area, as well

I also had a very productive round-table meeting with Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Shelford, and local councillors Ben Randles, Terri Cullen and Liz Brennan, where we discussed tackling local anti-social behaviour, speeding and other issues relating to our area.

Mark updated us on the ongoing developments at Avon and Somerset Police, including their significant emphasis on action against cyber fraud.

We also discussed the expansion of Avon and Somerset Police force, with 520 additional officers for the year, above the recruit-

combines it with optimism for the future of the industry. I was given a tour by Amy Seadon and Sally Cordwell who showed me some of the new exhibits. With so many aerospace and defence manufacturers nearby, many of which are featured in exhibitions, I have written to some of them on Aerospace Bristol’s behalf to request funds to hire an archivist. A good quality education for our young people is crucial for their future. That’s why I was so pleased to have recently visited Holy Trinity Primary School in Bradley Stoke to see their excellent teaching standards and to discuss school funding which is improving. I have agreed to return in a few weeks to meet with their school council. In addition, I have worked hard to ensure that bus services, such as the [insert services here] which get many local children to school which have been cut by the West of England Mayor Dan Norris, be reinstated. I have met with

ment target set by government, and youth engagement such as the Mini Police in Patchway, which gets young people involved in fighting crime and enables them to work on policing operations.

the Roads and Local Transport Minister on this matter, and I have made clear that the current situation is unsustainable for parents in Frenchay, Winterbourne and elsewhere.

I visited to meet with Jim Hardy, head of manufacturing at the lift works. We discussed their role in providing apprenticeships to young people in our area and I met with one of their degree apprentices.

I also visited Aerospace Bristol to meet with CEO Sally Cordwell. We discussed their STEM learning programme and engagement with businesses and schools. I will continue to promote the importance of STEM learning and engagement with young people for our crucial aerospace industry, and the opportunities Aerospace Bristol can offer to achieve this.

I recently returned from my sixth visit to Ukraine. While in Kyiv, I attended the Yalta European Strategy conference. I had a series of meetings with defence manufacturers in Ukraine and I am working to build better means of cooperation between defence manufacturing companies, as well as defence ministries in our two countries. In addition to good international cooperation in the defence of our allies, I was delighted to meet with so many young apprentices in the aerospace and defence manufacturing sector. I met them at an event in Parliament which showcased the excellent work apprentices do in these important sectors.

I also had the opportunity to meet the new leadership team of the Conservative group on South

We have all seen the terrible news of knife crime in the Bristol

Gloucestershire Council, Sam Bromiley and Liz Brennan. We discussed building more homes and improving local bus services.

I also had a great time at the Stoke Gifford Fete on May 29: it was a fantastic community event, and a great day for the celebration with great weather and lots of community support.

area. I have met with Police & Crime Commissioner Mark Shelford and Chief Inspector Dan Forster to discuss the terrible incident which took place in Little Stoke Park. We discussed the ongoing investigation, in addition to how we can get knives off our streets and protect our young people from being lured into a life of violence, crime and thuggery.

As always, should you need my help with anything, my office is open from Monday to Friday between 9am and 6pm.

As always, should you need my help with anything, my office is open from Monday to Friday between 9am and 6pm. Please telephone me on 01454 617783 or email me at: jack.lopresti.mp@ parliament.uk if I can be of any assistance or to book a surgery.

Please telephone me on 01454 617783 or email jack.lopresti.mp@ parliament.uk if I can be of assistance, or to book a surgery.

Jack Lopresti MP for Filton & Bradley Stoke

SOUTH Gloucestershire Council is buying three properties to be used as children’s homes.

This will help the council build capacity to ensure that more young people, who cannot live with their families for various reasons, can have a stable home and appropriate help, when they need it and where they need it, to get the best start in life.

The council acts as Corporate Parent to a number of children in the district and has a responsibility to support them in much the same way as any other family. There are not enough homes in the district, meaning that too often homes have to be found for them miles from their communities. This can cause major disruption to their education, support networks and family connections. The new homes the council is buying will allow more of these children to remain in or to move back to their own areas.

The three properties will

Cllr Maggie Tyrell

look just like any other family homes in appearance and for the children living there and for their neighbours, feel as close to that as possible. Each house will be for up to three children, aged between 11-17 years old. They will be nurturing, warm, welcoming spaces.

The houses will be owned by the council, but managed by a specialist provider, who will support young people through trained carers, who will aim to give them the safe home

environment which they may not have had in the past.

South Glos Council cabinet member for children and young people, Cllr Maggie Tyrell, said: “All children deserve to be part of their local community, with access to good resources such as parks and recreational areas. Where a young person’s family is unable to look after them in the way they need, the council sometimes has to step in and act as a Corporate Parent.

“In that role, we want what all parents want for their children, which is a bright future. That starts with a stable home, support and care and allows them to grow and thrive and to achieve their potential.

“Young people from South Gloucestershire should be able to grow up here and if there is disruption to family life that shouldn’t mean that their schooling, circles of friends and local connections are also disturbed.

“There are currently not

enough local places for us to do this work, which is why we are in the process of buying three properties here.

“These children are a valued part of our community and so we want to be able to help them grow up here, and provide the help they need to overcome whatever setbacks they may have experienced in their young lives.”

Care leavers have told the council how important it is for them to stay local wherever possible, and as part of a council commitment to help young people shape the support services they need, it is important that their views are heard.

\One said: “Young people from South Gloucestershire shouldn’t be moved miles and miles away from their hometown, because it’s isolating and makes you feel more alone than ever and depressed. Children should stay in South Gloucestershire, so they get to stay close to their social workers and support networks.”

n NEWS FROM THE METRO MAYOR

Time for action to end loss of young lives

THE recent loss of young lives across the West of England is a huge concern.

At my annual Schools Summit, students pitch ideas to me for new policies.

Sometimes it’s the environment, transport, or about skills. This year’s big theme turned out to be how to tackle knife crime.

Many young people are currently worried, anxious and unclear about what they can do to best avoid knife violence. But they know the awful toll of young lives only too well.

Mason Rist and Max Dixon – aged just 15 and 16 respectively – were stabbed in Knowle West back in January.

Darrian Williams, also just 16, was killed in Easton in February.

Another 16-year-old, Mikey Roynon, was stabbed and killed at a birthday party in Bath last June.

In 2022, Radstock teenager Charley Bates was another young victim. His killer was prosecuted last August.

Knife crime is impacting young people, who are changing their behaviour from fear, for example staying in more and not seeing their friends so frequently.

There is no single answer – far from it. But I do know we must act.

We need to invest in young people and the resources that help them. Real-terms reductions to local council budgets for the past 14 years have hit youth services very badly.

There is also a lack of mental health support for youngsters growing up in an ever more complex and fast-changing world. As a former NSPCC-trained child protection officer, this is something close to my heart.

Young people need mentors, to take part in activities that build their self-esteem. They also need access to first rate support from qualified professionals.

Sadly, young people are staying away from youth clubs and youth provision because they and their parents are frightened. That’s a vicious circle we need to break.

We also need to smash the myth that carrying a knife makes you safer. It doesn’t.

However secure it makes you feel, you’re actually more likely to be stabbed with your own knife than anyone else’s. By carrying a knife, you’re potentially arming your attacker.

The police are right to hold knife amnesties. But the fall in police numbers and prosecutions under this government is unacceptable. I also can’t fathom the reason to wait until the autumn to ban dangerous ‘zombie knives’ and

Metro Mayor Dan Norris writes for the Voice

machetes. And when the worst happens, we need people trained to react.

At my schools summit, youngsters learnt from the brilliant anti-knife crime campaigner Leanne Reynolds how to use ‘bleed kits’, which contain everything needed to give first aid to someone rapidly losing blood.

So, here’s the deal: to tackle knife crime head-on, we need to get everyone on board – community groups, charities, businesses, police and especially young people.

It also requires political parties to work together, something as West of England Mayor I’m keen to encourage.

The senseless loss of young life is an utter and total tragedy. It’s time for action, so we can beat it – together.

n WHAT’S ON

APRIL

Thursday 5 April

n ARTS APPRECIATION GROUP

All welcome to join the Arts

Appreciation Group at 2pm at The Greenfield Centre, Park Avenue, Winterbourne for an illustrated talk by David Cuthbert on Colours of the South. Further details from Sally on 07946 508316. Please note this group now meets at a new venue and at a new time.

Thursday 5 April

n MEET THE EASTER BUNNY

Head to the Willow Brook Shopping Centre between 11am and 1pm to meet the Easter Bunny and have your photo taken. This is a fundraising event for The Brightwell Centre.

Saturday 13 April

n ONE-TWO LIVE

Doors from 8pm, come to Bailey’s Court in Bradley Stoke to see OneTwo, a rock and pop duo who have been performing for more than 14 years. Playing mostly covers from bands including Bon Jovi, Genesis, Queen, Kate Bush, U2, Duran Duran, Tears For Fears and many more.

Until Sunday 14 April

n EASTER EGG TRAIL

Easter in Bradley Stoke would not be Easter without The Brightwell’s annual Easter Egg Trail. Visit The Brightwell’s website for more information.

Sunday 14 April

n BIKER DOWN!

Are you a motorcyclist? This is a short, free course at Bradley Stoke Community School, delivered in three modules dealing with scene management, initial trauma First Aid and a section on the ‘Thinking Biker’ dealing with the SMIDSY. Each attendee will receive a free First Aid kit suitable for a biker’s use. Delivered by Somerset Road Safety on behalf of your local authority and Fire Service. Visit EventBrite to book: eventbrite.co.uk/e/biker-downtickets-801438412867

Wednesday 17 April

n QUIZ NIGHT

Starting at 7pm at The Brightwell. Tickets are £5 each and available from thebrightwell.org.uk/events. Promises to be a great fun evening. Bring your own drinks and snacks, and test your knowledge.

Friday 19 April

n MOON SWIM

Bring your glow sticks and swim under the light of the pink moon at West Country Water Park. There will be a raffle on the night and refreshments available to help you

warm up afterwards. Tickets and further information available on The Brightwell website soon.

Thursday 25 April

n BRUSH PARTY

Raising money to support Bradley Stoke Community Primary School, come to the school from 7pm to 9.30pm to join Brush Party, the UK’s ‘Paint and Sip’ experts, where the theme is ‘Up Up & Away’. Get creative and experience a great night out and raise funds for a great cause at the same time. Get yourself a drink from the bar, settle down to your canvas and unleash your inner Van Gogh. No experience needed. To book tickets, please email friendsatbscsprimary@ gmail.com

REGULAR EVENTS

Every Sunday

n JUNIOR PARKRUN

Every Sunday at 9am, there is a Junior parkrun event at Little Stoke Park which is free to take part in but you are asked to register in advance on the parkrun website. It is open to all younger runners aged between four and 14 years old who would like to take part in a fun and friendly 2k run. Children must be accompanied by an adult. The event always seeks volunteers and encourages anyone interested to get in touch.

Every Monday

n RHYMETIME

Come along to Bradley Stoke Library on Mondays between 10.45-11.15am for a rhyme time session for younger readers. Term time only.

First two Mondays of every month

n VETERANS ADVISORY SUPPORT HUB

On the first two Mondays of every month, from 1-4pm, there is a drop-in session at The Jubilee Centre (in the Cedar Room), Bradley Stoke, which seeks to enhance the support that our ex-Armed Servicemen and women living and working in Bristol and South Gloucestershire area receive in the communities. For more info, call 0800 678 5618.

Third Monday of the month

n SEW & SO’S

This is a patchwork and quilting group. If you are interested in joining the group, whether you are a beginner or experienced, please come along. The group meets at 1.30pm at the Jubilee Centre on Savages Wood Road.

Second Tuesday of the month

n WILLOW BROOK

TOWNSWOMEN’S GUILD

Make new friends, get to know the

STOKE GIFFORD WI

President Sue Grimsted welcomed members and visitors to our meeting on 6 March. Our speaker this evening was Eve Douglas who talked to us about the intricacies of Chair Yoga and the benefits it can offer. She then gave us a short demonstration of some of the exercises we might like to participate in.

This was well received and she led us through a gentle regime of breathing exercises to relax our minds and bodies to enhance our wellbeing. This was a very mild introduction to Chair Yoga which can be practised by all age groups and abilities and Eve offered members the opportunity to go further and join one of her classes. This type of exercise can help increase flexibility and movement, while improving balance, stability and concentration.

Our next meeting will be on 3 April at The Trust Hall, North Road, Stoke Gifford at 7.30pm. Our speaker that evening will be Celia Hargrave who will be telling us about her adventures while taking part in the Himalaya 100 project. Visitors will always find a warm welcome to our WI group so please come along and join us.

area and get involved in local events and activities. The Townswomen’s Guild has interesting speakers, demonstrations, outings, arts and crafts and much more. All women are welcome.

Fourth Tuesday of the month

n CHATTER BOOKS

This free monthly event at Bradley Stoke Library is for ages 7-11 years. This runs from 4-5pm. Just turn up to join in.

Every Wednesday

n CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU DROPIN SESSION

Between 10am and 12 noon at the Jubilee Centre on Savages Wood Road, the Citizens Advice Bureau offer free, confidential, impartial and independent help on dealing with problems with debt, benefits, employment, housing, discrimination and many more issues. No appointment necessary.

Second Wednesday of the month

n BRADLEY STOKE WI

This afternoon-based WI are a friendly, community centred group, who meet on the second Wednesday of every month, at the Jubilee Centre in Bradley Stoke. All women are welcome. Visit their Facebook page or website for more information.

Third Wednesday of the month

n FULL COUNCIL MEETING

Subject matters are brought before Council by means of the Agenda, which is issued a minimum of three clear days before a meeting and is posted on the Bradley Stoke Town Council website.Agendas and supporting paperwork will be found on the website. Meetings start at 7pm and take place at the Jubilee Centre, Savages Wood Road, Bradley Stoke.

Every Thursday

n KNIT, STITCH & NATTER

Every Thursday, the Knit, Stitch & Natter group meets at Bradley Stoke Library at 10am to work on their own projects in the company of likeminded crafters. There is no need to book in advance. Just bring your own project and join the friendly group in the library.

Every Thursday

n WINTERBOURNE WIND BAND

This friendly amateur wind band rehearses at Holy Trinity Church, Bradley Stoke, every Thursday from 7.30-9.30pm. New members welcome. For more information email winterbournewinds@yahoo.com

Every Friday

n STORYTIME

Come along to Bradley Stoke Library on Fridays between 11-11.30am for a storytime session for younger readers. Term time only.

Every Saturday

n KARATE LESSONS

Come to the Bradley Stoke Leisure Centre from 4-5pm for karate lessons. Cost is £8 per lesson. Special rates for families of three or more. Lessons are suitable for everyone aged five and upwards. Learn self-defence, fitness, flexibility and much more. Just wear loose clothing. For more information, call 07557 532676 or email sska595@ gmail.com

Fourth Saturday of the month

n TOWN COUNCILLOR SURGERY

These are held once a month at the Willow Brook Centre between 10am and 12 noon, where you can meet your councillors and discuss any matters affecting the town.

Finding glasses that aren’t just your average pair of frames can be tough. Generic glasses that are indistinguishable from the rest are everywhere, and it's not uncommon to find discrepancies between the price and quality of these frames, too. All too often you’re left with the dilemma of investing a significant amount of money on quality glasses that don't seem to justify their cost.

At Turners Opticians, we only stock frames of the highest quality for our clients – brands that we truly believe in. One such brand is VANNI - created by Giovanni Vitaloni in the Northern Italian town of Turin.

0117

0117 965 4434

VANNI – Where Quality Meets Craftsmanship

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Fast forward to the 1960s and this family-run business had expanded into the production of rear-view mirrors, paving the way for the technique to be applied to the eyewear sector. By the late 1980s, the brand VANNI was born, deriving its name from the nickname Vanni, given to Giovanni Vitaloni by his friends and family.

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Need help choosing?

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Hope to see you soon!

Peter Turner is an Independent Prescribing Senior Optometrist at Turners Opticians in Bristol, who also works as a Senior Medical Optometrist at Bristol Eye Hospital. Peter has a specialist interest in visual development and visual performance.